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Why is Alignment so Important?

In the world of cars, Alignment refers to how your Wheels are positioned in relation to each other and the road.  Imagine your Tires are like your feet. If they’re not pointed straight ahead, you’re going to have a tough time walking in a straight line!  Car Alignment is similar.

Here’s why it’s important:

• Safer driving: Proper alignment means your car tracks straight and corners predictably.  This is crucial for safe handling, especially at higher speeds or on slippery roads.
• Smoother ride: Misaligned wheels can cause a bumpy ride or the car to pull to one side.  Good alignment makes for a more comfortable and controlled driving experience.
• Even tire wear: When your wheels are misaligned, the tires wear unevenly. This can shorten their lifespan and cost you more money on replacements.

Annual or bi-annual alignments are important for both safety and to save money on tires in the long run. Call your trusted Auto Repair Shop and schedule your car for Alignment if you are experiencing any of these issues.  And remember, keep your car’s feet happy and healthy!

We have a lot of clients asking us, “Why Do My Tires Keep Losing Air”.  There are several reasons for this.

1)    The Tire has a puncture.  Tire Punctures range from nails, screws, bolts, metal shards and broken glass. When debris is found to be causing a leaking tire, we remove the tire and Patch Repair the tire internally.

2)   The Tire Leak is from the Bead Seal.  As Tires become older, the Tire Bead that seals to the rim can begin to leak.  We see this a lot from vehicles up north that are driven in the Rust Belt.  Corrosion builds up between the Tire Bead area and the Rim Seat.  To fix this, the tire needs to be removed from the rim and thoroughly cleaned.  The rim may need to be sanded and cleaned.

3)   The Tire dissipates through the rubber side wall.  Rubber is porous.  Air pressure will leak down over time.  This is a normal occurrence.  This is why it is important to check the tire pressure once every month.

Most newer cars have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.  If ever the Low Tire Warning Light comes on, have this checked out immediately.  Don’t ever drive your vehicle with a low tire.

There are a lot of Tire Brands to choose from when purchasing a set of tires.  We prefer to quote Tires on 3 levels.  Our 3 Tire levels are Good, Better, and Best.  There are 3 things that differentiate the levels.

1. Mileage Rating: A better quality tire will have a higher mileage rating and will last a lot longer.  This is where you will get more, “Bang or your Buck”.  The Mileage rating is stamped on the tire and can easily be explained by the Tire Shop that is providing you with a tire quote.
2. Trusted Brand: A trusted Tire Brand that has stood the test of time, is a good way of knowing the tire will perform well and last a long time.  If a Tire Shop has had great performance from a Tire Brand, they will recommend the tire as a Better or Best
3. Balancing the tires:  By far, the best method that I use in deciding if a tire ranks as Good, Better or Best, is how well the tire balances on a Balance Machine.  A tire that consistently spins perfectly round and requires a very small Wheel Weight, means everything to me.  This is a tire that will roll smoothly, feel great at highway speeds, and last a long time.  Of all the tires that we have installed over the last 40 years, Michelin performs the best on the balancer.

There are many reasons why your car might not be starting. It is difficult to diagnose the exact issue without more information. However, I can give you some general possibilities:

Battery: This is the most common culprit, especially during colder months like January. Cold weather can drain batteries faster. A weak or dead battery might not have enough power to start the engine. You might hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, or the lights might be dim.

Starter motor: The Starter Motor cranks the Engine over when you turn the key. If it’s faulty, you might hear a grinding noise when you try to start it and the Engine will not crank.

Fuel system: Issues like a clogged fuel filter, empty fuel tank, or faulty fuel pump can prevent fuel from reaching the engine. This will prevent the engine from starting.

Ignition system: A problem with the ignition switch or spark plugs is a common reason for a No Start. Other ignition components like the Direct Ignition Coil, Ignition Wires, and Timing Sensors can also prevent the engine from sparking and starting.

Additional information that would be helpful for diagnosing the problem:

What sounds do you hear when you try to start the car? (Clicking, grinding, etc.)

Do the lights turn on when you turn the key?

Has the car been sitting for a long time?

Have you had any recent car repairs or maintenance?

Here are some things you can try:

Check the battery voltage: If the voltage is below 12.4 volts, the battery is likely dead and needs a jump start or replacement.

Listen for any unusual sounds: Grinding or clicking noises can indicate starter motor problems.

Check the fuel gauge: Make sure you haven’t run out of gas.

Try turning the key off and on a few times: Sometimes a loose connection can be the culprit.

It’s best to call your Mechanic or trusted Auto Repair Shop. They can diagnose the problem and get your car started again!!

Brakes in Greenville Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Cobb Tire And Auto Repair

We know our cars very well. We spend such a large amount of time in them daily that we profess a keen ability to know when something is wrong. One common issue that we see allot of is the feeling of a vibration from the vehicle when hitting the brakes. You will be traveling at a high rate of speed on the express way. As you come up to your exit you hit the brakes to begin slowing down and feel the steering wheel shake back and forth. You may also feel the entire car shake and shutter.
Because this is only happening when braking, there is a very good chance that the issue is with the disc rotors. The disc rotor is the round steel plate that the brake pads clamp down on to stop the car. The disc rotor, like the tire, turns at a high rate of speed when traveling. A new disc rotor is designed and machined to a perfect zero specification. If it ever warps or becomes out of round due to extreme temperature, a vibration will be felt when the pads clamp down. The more warped the disc rotor is, the more vibration will be felt when braking.
In most cases, the correct fix is to replace the warped disc rotors with new ones. I also suggest renewing the disc pads with the new rotors. Machine resurfacing the warped disc rotor can also help but is not recommended. The resurfacing process removes more metal from the disc rotor. In today’s times, disc rotors are less heavy, and less thick than rotors of the past.

As I’ve said, uneven tire wear happens for 3 reasons. The most common reason for this issue is driving when your tires are low on air pressure. If your driving occurs in town, and there is allot of stopping and starting and allot of turning and cornering, then your tires pay the price. We see this allot in our busy town of Greenville. The second reason is that your alignment angles may be off. This can cause very rapid wear on your tires. This can be hard to tell. In the olden days, your vehicle alignment is off if your vehicle pulled to the left or the right while driving. Vehicles now don’t show this symptom when the angles are off. The only way to know for sure is if your steering wheel is off center while driving or you allow an auto repair shop to check it with a computer alignment machine. The third reason for uneven tire wear is if your front end steering components are faulty. Aligning a vehicle with worn components will leave you with tires wearing on the inside. If you ever notice uneven tire wear, check with your Auto Repair Shop as soon as possible and get this problem solved.

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair in Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis – Service Advisor for Cobb Tire and Auto Repair

How To Find A Reliable Auto Repair Shop Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 296

To be sure, this is an excellent question! There is no one on the planet that doesn’t suffer this conundrum. Our vehicles are to some, family. To others, means of income. To everyone, a large investment. When something of this importance needs tending to, it’s a giant question.

We have all heard horror stories about what has happened to those who have failed to investigate. I myself, had the same questions. I don’t any longer, but I’m in a position now to know the difference. This is why I’d like to share with you some important facts on how to make the best decision.

I implore you to read Google reviews. Granted, there are people out there that are never satisfied. There are bound to be a few negative reviews on anything. Yet, in the broader scope look at the content. More positive than negative. Especially on features and services that are important to you. Very Important!! Next, call the 3 locations (no more than 3), ask for a courtesy inspection. Reputable Centers want your business, as well as your family and friends. So, shouldn’t be a problem. Appointment options that work for you. Amenities like, complementary loaner vehicles, shuttle services, and the like. Again, I say, look for features and services that are important to you. When you take your vehicle in, are you given a report, information on findings in a tangible way? Are you spoken to in a manner that you can understand, and not in a condescending way? What kind of warranties do they offer on work performed? Do they listen?

A reputable establishment offers these important features. They are not going to be the cheapest. If they were, they couldn’t offer these important and essential services. It takes a more competitive than bargain rate to offer vehicles and quality parts. Cheaper is never better, it’s only cheaper.

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair

Why does my battery keep dying Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC

There is nothing worse than hopping into your car on an early morning to begin your day. You crank the engine over and nothing happens. What now? What do you do? Chances are, the battery is dead and it is failing to start the engine. So now you have two choices. You can jump off the battery using cables or a jump box. Or you can call a tow truck over to have your car towed to a repair facility. I would opt for jumping off the battery because towing can be expensive and time consuming. The best and easiest method for jumping the battery is to use a jump box. A jump box only requires 1 person and your 1 car. You attach the jump box to your battery and turn the key over. Once the engine starts, the charging system will keep everything running. Running long enough for you to drive to a repair shop. I recommend that you buy a jump box from your local parts distributor and keep it in your trunk. Doing this will save allot of time and aggravation, and allow you to begin your day.

My battery is not charging Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC

Why does my battery keep dying in my car Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC

Why does my TPMS light come on, Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair in Greenville SC 29615

We have all experienced this while traveling. Everything is going well. You are on the highway driving at normal speed and suddenly you see a warning light. This light seems to be in relation to the air pressure of your tires. The light is on either because the tire pressure is too low, or the pressure sensor is faulty. Now what?

My suggestion is to find a safe exit from the expressway. As soon as possible, stop your car, get out and have a look at all 4 of your tires. You should be looking for a tire that is soft. It will appear kind of squished down compared to the others tires. If you have a pressure gauge with you then well done. Use it to check the tire pressure on all your tires.

Expect the tire pressure to be 28 to 37 pounds on most cars. If any of your tires are below 28 pounds. but above 23 pounds, then drive to an auto repair shop and have your tires checked and filled. If a tire is below 23 pounds, then I recommend you move your spare tire down to replace the low tire.

This is because an extremely low tire will overheat while running at normal speeds and eventually fail. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires checked every 3 months, as tires normally leak down over time.

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair in Greenville SC

Tire Rotation Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Why Should I Rotate My Tires. There are a couple reasons why this is important. The first reason is to insure a long life for your tires. The front Tires wear quicker than the rears. The front Tires are doing all the turning. When turning occurs, the outer tire tread edges carry the weight and wear faster. Over time, outer edge wear will develop on both front tires. If the air pressure is low or if the alignment is off, the edger wear will develop faster and be much worse.

Why Rotate My Tires Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

The second reason is to keep the tire noise levels down. Tires that are on the free rolling axle, will develop cupping and flat spotting if the Alignment or the Balance is off. When this occurs, the noise levels will increase while driving. Setting the Alignment and Balancing the tires will stop the wear pattern from getting worse. Now the rear tires on a front wheel drive, and the front tires on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle will need rotating. Crossing them during the rotation even helps more.

If you are driving your car more in town then I recommend Rotating the tires every 5,000 miles. If you are driving your car more on the highway, I recommend Rotating the tires every 10,000 miles. Coordinating the Tire Rotation with the Oil Change Service is the easiest way to do it.